If you’ve been asked “what kind of dog is she”, this blog is for you!

Maple on the day we brought her home.

This is a story about my dog Maple, and how she came into our lives. It’s also a story about solving the mystery of “what kind of dog is she?” We adopted her in April 2011 from Castaway Critters. We guesstimated she was 1 year old at the time. She was living with a wonderful foster mom in a home occupied by big dogs. Maple only weighs 13 pounds, but she stood her ground with the big dogs, according to Foster Mom.

Maple and her brother, Pecan, were pulled out of a high-kill shelter in West Virginia and made their way to Pennsylvania. Foster mom told us that they were a bonded pair, and when Pecan was adopted first and left the home, Maple was very depressed. We met her about a week after her brother left. I loved her from the minute I saw her, and I have no doubt if her brother had been there, I would’ve gone home with the pair.

Maple on left, Border Terrier on right

Right away we made guesses about “what kind of dog” she is. If I had a quarter for every time someone has asked me that question since she became part of our family, I’d have enough money to pay for a year’s worth of dog food. Even though there is no such breed, I immediately thought she looked like a miniature Border Terrier.

So, to put the questions to rest, I finally ordered a DNA test to establish “what kind of dog” she is. I chose the Mar’s Wisdom Panel 2.0 kit, which of course is available on trusty Amazon. With Amazon Prime, I paid $65.99 and had the kit in my hands two days later. The packaging of the kit is quite genius. Inside the box are two swabs inside a plastic wrapper. After you obtain your samples, you use the same box to send them back, using the included pre-paid USPS label.

While Maple was sleeping on the couch, I quickly swabbed the inside of one cheek, then the other. I let the swabs dry for 5 minutes, per instructions, then placed them inside the plastic wrapper and back in the box. While they were drying, I went on-line and activated Maple’s sample, using the Sample ID from the kit. I dropped the kit in the mail on July 10.

On July 15, I received an email alerting me that Maple’s test had been received at the lab. On July 28, the joyous email containing results arrived! Maple is a Beagle x Shih-Tzu cross on one side, and a Cairn Terrier x mixed breed cross on the other side! You can view the entire report I received here: Maple’s DNA Panel.

We no longer have to answer the “what kind of dog is she” question with, “we don’t know, she’s a rescue.” We’ll tell everyone she’s a “Sheagle Terrier”, or her super cool street name: Sheagle-T. Truth is, we’ve known for years exactly what kind of dog she is. Funny, lovable, cute as a button, fast as the wind, jumps like a Tigger, best four-legged friend around.

Jasper was rescued by dogs in danger from high kill sight in georgia,we had a poodle for 14 years til, he passed,my wife said go on line ,shelters ,small dogs yorkies and chihuahuas ,so after3hrs. found ,chihuahua mixed 8,8lbs, won’t get over 15 lbs, adult dog.3months old,we went to pa. hr away.we bought him , after 3months went to vet for shots 13lbs 17lbs, 23lbs, 27lbs 31lbs. 35lbs ,now 2yrs 8months ,39lbs chihuahua mixed.

Hello – what are you feeding your mixed Chihuahua? Are you concerned he is overweight? Without seeing him, it’s hard for me to tell if he’s a healthy weight at 39 lb. If you’d like some advice about feeding, please reply here or you can email me at drcarney@yourpetsneedthis.com. Thank you!